John Lesson 18 Day 2 New Commandment

Study of John 13:31-35

3. God glorifies those who yield themselves to Him.

Just as Jesus Christ had to die to be glorified, we must lay down our lives for the truth. If we do, we receive them again with everlasting honor. (Adam Clark)

God the Father glorifies (honors) those who die to selfish, worldly interests and ambitions and instead, follow the divine Rabbi.

Many in the world consider a life surrendered to God—the type of life God honors—as incomprehensible, unproductive and wasted—utter foolishness.

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NLT)

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 1 Corinthians 3:19 (NLT)

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NLT)

Honor (Glory):

1. He shall be with Christ, in eternal fellowship with him; and

2. He shall be honored by the Lord: he shall have an abundant recompense in glory; but how great, eye hath not seen, ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

An interesting quote attributed to Jewish rabbis: “God is more concerned for the honor of the just man than for his own.”

4. a. Command in John 13:34-35

The new commandment: “…you should love one another as I have loved you.

Our Lord answers this question, Even As I have loved you. Now Christ more than fulfilled the Mosaic precept; he not only loved his neighbor As himself, but he loved him More than himself, for he laid down his life for men. In this he calls upon the disciples to imitate him; to be ready on all occasions to lay down their lives for each other. This was, strictly, a new commandment: no system of morality ever prescribed any thing so pure and disinterested as this. Our blessed Lord has outdone all the moral systems in the universe in two words:

1. Love your enemies;

2. Lay down your lives for each other. (Adam Clarke)

b. Love one another

Keep His commands.

Love and unselfishly seek the best for my [believing] brother.

Show compassion toward my brothers and sisters in Christ by sharing my resources with them.

If we keep His commands —

“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. (emphasis added)

The one who says he is in the Light [in consistent fellowship with Christ] and yet habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in the darkness until now.10 The one who loves and unselfishly seeks the best for his [believing] brother lives in the Light, and in him there is no occasion for stumbling or offense [he does not hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin].11 But the one who habitually hates (works against) his brother [in Christ] is in [spiritual] darkness and is walking in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (AMP) (emphasis added)

By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.17 But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?18 Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. (emphasis added)

The following verses aren’t referenced in the lesson, but I found them helpful:

My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. (MSG)

5. Where I need to practice love

As I mentioned in a previous lesson, I should be more loving and thankful while spending time with my dad. Thankfully, he oozes love and appreciation these days. But it’s hard to forget how he used to constantly criticize and judge me. I’m still selfishly braced for the “you’re not good enough” speech. I need to remember he is my brother in Christ, not only my earthly father. I’m there to serve him.

I also need to focus on the “as I have loved you” part of Jesus’ commandment. Jesus loves me. If I can deeply grasp His love for me, I won’t expect others to satisfy that need. Whose love can compare with His anyway?

While trying to put the finishing touches on this post, my computer locked up. While it rebooted, I opened the kindle app on my phone and this is next passage in the book I’m reading:

You Are Loved Already

More than anything else — more than the necessity of leaving the world and its cravings behind and more than even knowing and obeying Jesus’ commands — we need to know…we are loved by Jesus.

This foundation of the knowledge of his love assures that we’re able to pursue the proper Christian life. Jesus wants you to know that you’re loved. He wants you to know that He has your whole future planned for you. (Finding Your Purpose in Christ)

This quote I read a few days ago also came to mind:

You are far more preoccupied with your sins than God is—I guarantee it! (Phil Drysdale)

So, neither should I be preoccupied with the sins of others.

MY answers — not THE answers — to BSF study questions on ~ John 13:31-35 ~ John Lesson 18 Day 2 New Commandment

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